At Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, we recently welcomed our very first Abyssinian ground hornbill chick. Zazu, from The Lion King, is a red-billed hornbill, so you could say that the chick is Zazu’s “cousin.” Steve Metzler, Animal Operations Manager, reports that the chick is doing great and mom is doing a wonderful job protecting and feeding it. The chick weighed 3.6 ounces at 2 days old. Its weight was checked as part of the chick’s neo-natal exam. These “well-baby exams” are performed on our newborn animals by our veterinarians to assess their overall condition. Adult female Abyssinian ground hornbills typically weigh 7-9 pounds and males weigh 12-14 pounds. We won’t know the sex of the new chick for several months.

Hornbills are what are referred to as “altricial” birds, meaning that when they hatch their eyes are closed, they have no down, they are incapable of leaving the nest and they are fed by the parents. Unlike some other bird species, like chickens and ducks, they will be cared for in the nest for several months and will slowly grow feathers and start looking more and more like the adult birds.

In the wild, Abyssinian ground hornbills live on the African savannas north of the equator and south of the Sahara Desert. They are active during the day, foraging and hunting, and usually roam in pairs or in groups of three or four when young birds are present. These hornbills are mostly carnivorous and walk the savannah using their big bills to capture prey such as snakes and small mammals. They also will eat some fruits and seeds. Abyssinian ground hornbills rarely fly, preferring to walk or run when threatened – although they can and will fly if needed.

The biggest threat to hornbills in the wild is habitat loss. The Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan (SSP) for Abyssinian ground hornbills recommends expanding the current population numbers in accredited facilities to improve the overall genetic health of the population. Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge is committed to breeding this species to contribute to the overall goals of the SSP. Steve notes that this chick represents a great first step in contributing to our overall knowledge and experience with breeding this species.

The new chick and its mom are bonding in an off-show area, where the animal care team can closely monitor them. Over the next few months, the team hopes to introduce mom and chick back to dad, who is out on the Pembe savanna at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, so all three will be on show together.

Abyssinian Ground Hornbill Fun Facts:

It can take three to four years for young hornbills to get full adult coloration.

The ground hornbill has very long eyelashes that not only look attractive but protect its eyes from injury. The eyelashes are modified feathers.

The hornbill has a distinctive casque on top of its large bill, which is unique to the hornbill family. The casque is made of keratin that overlies bony support. It is multifunctional: it is used in identifying the age, sex and species of the hornbill; amplifies vocalizations; and helps reinforce the beak.

These vocal birds make a series of deep booming calls that announce their presence to other birds.

The head is supported by strong neck muscles and strengthened by the fusion of the first two neck vertebrae, unique among birds.

In some African villages it is customary to have a resident hornbill; villagers believe the bird brings them good luck. In some parts of their range, hornbills are considered sacred.

2 Comments

1

melissa from NC on August 17th, 2011 at 10:33 am

I love stories like this and so look forward to Wildlife Wednesday each week! We stayed at AKV in the Jambo House last month, back where the Arusha Savanna curves around and meets the Uzima. We had a crane sitting on her two eggs right below our balcony and I can’t help but wonder each day when her babies hatched and how they’re doing!

2

Lisa on August 24th, 2011 at 9:24 am

My family and adore Animal Kindom Lodge Kidani. On our last visit the zookeeper tending the animals told my 7 year old son- a budding zoologist- about this pending birth. We were wondering when the big day was What a privledgen to stay at a hotel and be in the presence of such glorious animals. The care that is given to these animals is astounding all the animals hit LOTTO! Cant wait to return to see the new baby! Kidani is the only hotel we stay at a must for everyone!

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